"I'm very disappointed in my play so far," Wisconsin's redshirt junior tight end said after practice Tuesday. "I've got to complement Jared (Abbrederis) in the passing game. I've got do a better job blocking in the running game.

"I took some time Sunday to reflect on everything, what I could do personally to get better."

After spending most of his time studying his inadequate run blocking in the three-point loss at Nebraska, Pedersen hopes to give a better performance this week when UW (3-2, 0-1 Big Ten Conference) hosts Illinois (2-3, 0-1).

"I was getting away from my technique," said Pedersen, 6-foot-4 and 237 pounds. "I was trying to be an overpowering guy. I'm not that guy. I'm not 260 pounds and benching 450.

"I was getting out of my technique and off my base. This week I'm going to work on staying on my base and staying on my guys."

Last season, Pedersen and then-senior Jake Byrne formed a solid tandem, with Byrne doing most of the in-line blocking.

This season Pedersen is the No. 1 receiving threat at his position and the No. 2 threat on the team, behind Abbrederis, a wide receiver.

His blocking generally has been below average and his struggles on the line of scrimmage appear to be affecting his productivity as a pass-catcher.

"I think we have to be smart about what we're asking him to do," coach Bret Bielema said. "A year ago, he was playing a role where he was moving a lot, and Jake Byrne was the point guy. Jake was a 6-5, 265-pound guy.

"We might not be able to do those same things with Ped and expect the same type of results."

The numbers illustrate Pedersen's contributions as a receiver are off the pace he set last season when he finished with 30 catches for 356 yards and eight touchdowns.

Through five games last season, Pedersen had 14 catches for 224 yards, 16.0 yards per catch, and four touchdowns.

Through five games this season, Pedersen has nine catches for 95 yards, 10.6 yards per catch, and one touchdown.

UW's overall passing numbers are well off the pace of last season.

Through five games last season, UW quarterbacks had completed 85 passes for 1,402 yards, 16.5 yards per completion and 280.5 yards per game, with 13 touchdowns.

Through five games this season, the numbers are 73 completions for 918 yards, 12.6 yards per completion and 183.6 yards per game, with five touchdowns.

Informed of Bielema's theory, Pedersen said he could not use that as a crutch.

"Last year I was cutting off the backside," he said. "I was blocking big defensive ends.

"I'm getting the same amount of snaps as I got last year. It comes down to me playing my game."

Not only did Pedersen's run-blocking regress against the Cornhuskers, he wasn't able to contribute in the passing game.

Six passes were directed at Pedersen, five by quarterback Joel Stave and one by tailback James White.

If one play illustrated the frustration of Pedersen's night, it came in the second quarter.

On first and 10 from the Badgers' 25, Stave tried to hit Pedersen down the right hash. Stave saw a defender up the field against Pedersen and put the ball low and behind his tight end - similar to a back-shoulder fade.

Pedersen made a tremendous adjustment to the ball and initially was given credit for a 25-yard reception to midfield.

The replay overruled the call on the field, however.

"Joel was playing his first Big Ten road game," Pedersen said, "so no matter where it is, I've got to catch the ball.

"They were plays I caught before. I've got to get them right this week against Illinois."